News

STV sues ITV for lost viewers

STV will this week raise the stakes in its dispute with ITV by launching another multi-million-pound lawsuit against the maker of Dancing on Ice and Emmerdale.

The company - which holds the ITV licence in Scotland - is to sue for prejudicial behaviour, alleging that it is suffering because audience-pulling spin-off shows from The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent are aired on ITV2, in which it has no economic interest. STV believes it is due £5m-£15m in compensation.

The Scottish broadcaster is also pursuing ITV for up to £16m in alleged unpaid advertising revenue and is seeking compensation for ITV's online deals with Virgin Media and BT Vision to show network content in Scotland.

For its part, ITV claims STV owes it at least £15m for shows it agreed to part-fund before deciding not to air. "We will vigorously defend any new proceedings," ITV said.